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View Full Version : Llangunnor Lead Mine, South Wales - May 2012



-Walsh-
05-06-2012, 01:38 PM
A quick unscheduled visit to a mine I had heard about a while back, although this is just one working, there are loads more that lie undiscovered in the surrounding hills. a return visit is definitely needed!

History

Not far from Llandeilo lie the disused Llangunnor lead mines. The rich lodes of the hill were claimed to have been discovered in the 18th century, but there is evidence of earlier workings; including the discovery of boreholes filled with lime (that may predate the use of gunpowder in the district). In 1852 Thomas Field formed the Vale of Towy Silver-Lead Mining Company, which sank four shafts - Bonvilles', Clays', Fields', and Nant, of which Clays' was the deepest (124 fathoms) though all have been filled in by today. In 1853-4, old workings south of Nant farm were re-explored under the name South Towy. Little of value was discovered, but in 1861, due to failure of the main lode, the Vale of Towy took a lease on part of the property and dug an unsuccessful adit beneath 'an ancient mine' (pre-dating the 19th century workings) known as Pwll y Plwm ('the Pit of Lead').

Further east, the North Towy and Cystanog United Lead Mines Company began work on Allt Cystanog Hill. Two adits and two shafts were dug in 1853, in a line south from the road. The finding of good ore led the Company to sink a shaft on the north side of the road. By 1856 this shaft had reached a depth of 28 fathoms, with levels extending beneath the river, but disappointing results ended in the auction and eventual sale of the mine to Thomas Field. Field restarted the mine in 1859, but what little work was carried out ceased the following year.


1 Main drive

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8150/7262298656_c2a3766d4f_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/walsh01/7262298656/)

2 Little flooded winze

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/7262308052_e1c11c0418_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/walsh01/7262308052/)

3 Section of Deads

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7082/7262306968_dcfabd72f1_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/walsh01/7262306968/)

4 Junction

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8168/7262305734_bfc542b76a_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/walsh01/7262305734/)

5 Wall was very flat here

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7232/7262301972_2be1a0f9f5_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/walsh01/7262301972/)

6 Looking back to entrance showing higher workings

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7226/7262303270_260463db55_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/walsh01/7262303270/)


Lots of little crawlable passages that I never ventured into due to my attire!

Clough
05-06-2012, 03:46 PM
Minez. They all look dangerous as f00k don't think ill ever fancy doing one so I salute you Sir.

Clear pictures too boyo!

-Walsh-
05-06-2012, 03:49 PM
Minez. They all look dangerous as f00k don't think ill ever fancy doing one so I salute you Sir.

Clear pictures too boyo!

Ta very much! Get yourself down one, once youve done one you will never look back!

the kwan
05-06-2012, 11:08 PM
Nice report Walsh some excellent pictures here too...Clough pull a sicky on friday and join Walsh and myself for mine extravaganza in Welsh wales...it looks like a slate or gold mine...bring the LLS!

-Walsh-
06-06-2012, 12:23 AM
Nice report Walsh some excellent pictures here too...Clough pull a sicky on friday and join Walsh and myself for mine extravaganza in Welsh wales...it looks like a slate or gold mine...bring the LLS!

Yes!!! plenty of crawling and sliding down slate chambers to be had....